The Fun Steps of the Finnstep: Identifying Key Points in this Season's Pattern Dance

The compulsory pattern for the senior ice dancers for the 2012/2013 season is the Finnstep. This compulsory pattern consists of 70 steps and is based on the 1995 Original Dance of legendary Finnish ice dance team, Susanna Rahkamo and Petri Kokko:

Basic information on the key points and assignment of levels for the Finnstep can be found on pages 13 and 14 of the Handbook for Technical Panels 2013 with a more detailed discussion found within pages 16-20. Please see ISU Communication #1497 as well, found here. 

And here are diagrams of the step patterns: 

Man's steps 
Lady's steps 

Please see also the Handbook for Officials on Pattern Dances.

In accordance with the rules outlined by the ISU, this dance, which is based in ballroom quickstep, should be “fun, fast” and “light”, with “crisp and tidy timing as well as footwork”, with the accent at the beginning of the beat rather than just on the beat. This dance calls for erect (“very upright, almost stiff”) posture and a contrast between “the longer steps with strong, well rounded, deep edges” and “the crisp light steps, toe steps and hops (small jumps without rotation)” to fully express its character. 

Below we have described what is going on in the key points. In Section II, key points 1 and 2 are based on the steps of the lady and man respectively, but they are happening simultaneously and the first step is the same for both partners so we included a description of what the team is doing as set-up for each of these key points to help you better identify the steps. 

RFI=right forward inside edge 
RFO= right forward outside edge 
LFI=left forward inside edge 
LFO= left forward outside edge 
 XF=cross step in front (below the skating knee) 
XB= cross step behind (below the skating knee) 
Tw=twizzle 
Sw3=swing three turn 
RBO3=three turn executed on a right back outside edge 
Sw-ClCho=swing closed choctaw 
XBClCho=closed choctaw with free foot crossed behind the skating foot (below the knee) 
OpMo=open mohawk 

Please refer to the previous entry for more information on turns and edges.

We have included gifs of the Finnstep pattern of Pechalat & Bourzat from Trophee Eric Bompard 2013 for which they received two level 4s. 

Remember that levels are given for correct edges, turns and timing. Key Points 2 and 3 of the first section of the pattern happen simultaneously, thus one video is provided for both. This is also the case for Key Points 1 and 2 of the second section of the pattern.


Finnstep Section I 

Key Point 1 Lady & Man Steps 1 & 4 (XB-RF, XB-LF) and Lady Step 12 (LFO Tw1½) 
Each partner crosses the right foot behind the left for the first step and the left foot behind the right for the fourth step. For step 12, the lady enters on a left forward outside edge into 1.5 twizzles.

Key Point 2 Lady Steps 20-21 (XB-LBO, XF-RBI/RBI Tw1½/RFO) 
The female partner crosses her left foot behind her right foot on a back outside edge and when this foot touches down she immediately picks up the right foot to cross it in front of her left foot on a back inside edge. Immediately following these steps, you see the female partner twizzle 1.5 rotations entering on that same right forward inside edge and exiting on a right forward outside edge. 


Key Point 3 Man Steps 20-21 (XB-LFI, RFO-Sw3/RBI Tw1/RBI)
The male partner crosses his left leg behind his right on a forward inside edge and as soon as he gets on this edge he brings the right leg up and crosses in front of his left without touching the right foot down on the ice before moving it back to its regular alignment and setting it down on a forward outside edge. On this same forward outside edge, the male partner completes a swing three turn, exiting this turn on a back inside edge. This edge becomes the entry edge for the single twizzle that follows, and the male partner exits this twizzle on the same right back inside edge. 

Finnstep Section II 

Key Point 1 Lady Steps 32 & 33 (LFO Sw-ClCho, RBI/RBO/RBO Tw1½/RFI slide into stop)
The team comes out of the corner and both skaters get onto their left forward outside edges and swing their right legs forward and step onto right back inside edges (swing closed choctaw on left forward outside edge). The female partner then changes to a right back outside edge which is the entry edge for the 1.5 twizzle. She exits this twizzle on a right forward inside edge and slides to a halt on this edge. 

Key Point 2 Man Steps 32 to 33c (LFO Sw-ClCho, RBI OpMo, LFI, RFI/RFI Tw1/RFI slide into stop) 
The team comes out of the corner and both skaters get onto their left forward outside edges and swing their right legs forward and step onto right back inside edges (swing closed choctaw on left forward outside edge). The male partner then performs an open mohawk on this same right back inside edge, bringing the left foot in front of his right and placing that left foot on a forward inside edge. He then steps onto his right forward inside edge and performs a single twizzle, exiting on a right forward inside edge and sliding to a halt on this edge. 

Key Point 3 Lady & Man Steps 64 & 65 (LFI XBClCho, RBO3/RFI Tw1½) 
This step is performed in the corner. They glide on their left forward inside edges and bring their right legs behind their left and cross the right foot behind the left foot on a back outside edge (LFI XBClCho). On this same right back outside edge they each perform a three turn with the free leg extended. They then bring the free leg in for the twizzle of 1.5 rotations.

Some brief notes on quality: Note how crisp and clean Pechalat/Bourzat's edges are throughout this dance. There is very little snow flying up from their blades. Note also how strong their posture is and how close together they skate this pattern, with excellent unison and good ice coverage. This was a strong Finnstep all around.

To Everything Turn, Turn, Turn: Turns in Ice Dance

In ice dance you will see various turns, some featured as major steps of the pattern dances and step sequences, and others used to connect these steps and other elements in the program.

The level of a step sequence depends on the number and variety of difficult turns executed cleanly. The turns required for a step sequence to be assessed a level 4 are the following: double twizzle, bracket, rocker, counter, choctaw, and outside mohawk. 

Anatomy of a Turn

Each turn consists of 3 parts:

1) an entry edge curve

2) a blade turn (one-foot turn) or change of foot (two-foot turn), which may or may not include a change of edge and

3) an exit edge curve

Executing a turn requires the skater to shift their weight towards the front or the back of of the blade. The blade has a rocker, also known as a radius, which is a measure of its curvature. Greater curvature means less of the blade is in contact with the ice. This curve feature gives a skater greater mobility, allowing them to better maneuver around the ice. Some people also refer to the apex of the blade’s curve as the rocker.

In ice dance, you want to see entry and exit curves that are smooth and continuous as well as long with large amplitude (ie. big curves). You also want to see entry and exit edges of roughly equal depth. The turns must not be scraped or jumped. Another important feature of a turn is the control of the hips, upper body, and free leg. 

So how do you identify specific turns? The entry edge will be identified as forward or back and inside or outside. The skating foot (right or left) will also be indicated.

forward: the skating direction is forward

back: the skating direction is backward

inside: the edge being used is the one closer to the inside of the boot. Another way to think about this: the inside edges are the ones that face each other.

outside: the edge being used is the one closer to the outside of the boot. Another way to think about this: the outside edges are the ones that face each outward.

The word swing is used to indicate a swinging action of the free foot past the skating foot.

When we talk about a change of direction, we are referring to a change from forward to backward or backward to forward (and NOT clockwise to counter-clockwise or vice versa). We will also discuss turns with respect to lobe. We are referring to circular lobes. Think of two circles joined at one end on the ice. Continuing along the same lobe is like continuing along the outside of the same circle. Changing lobes is like moving along the opposite side of the next circle.

To illustrate each turn we have provided a theoretical example and a slow-motion gif example of a turn from one of the short dances this season.

We’ll look first at one-foot turns. These turns are performed entirely on one foot (ie. you will NOT see a change of foot).

twizzle: This is a continuous travelling turn. That is, it travels across the ice and the rotational action is continuous.

gif example: Here is Bobrova & Soloviev each performing a double twizzle in their Not Touching Midline Step Sequence 

three turn: This turn involves a change of edge (outside edge to inside edge or inside edge to outside edge) and change of direction (from forward to backward or backward to forward). It gets its name from the ‘3’ tracing it creates on the ice: picture an arc with a cusp (little pointy thing) in the middle that points inward. The turn is executed in the same direction as the overall curve of the turn (if the arc is skated in a clockwise direction, the blade also turns clockwise).

theoretical example: The skater enters on a right forward outside edge curving in a clockwise direction. The skater turns their blade clockwise and exits on a right back inside edge, maintaining a clockwise direction of curve. The skater has performed a right forward outside three turn.

gif example: Here is Maia Shibutani (of Shibutani & Shibutani) performing a right forward outside three turn as a transition in their short dance. Note that she is curving in a clockwise direction on a right forward outside edge, turns the blade clockwise, and continues to curve in a clockwise direction on a right back inside edge.

bracket: This turn also involves a change of edge (outside edge to inside edge or inside edge to outside edge) and a change of direction (from forward to backward or backward to forward). It gets its name from the bracket tracing it creates on the ice: picture an arc with a cusp in the middle that points outward. The turn employs counter-rotation. That is, the blade turn is executed in the opposite direction of the overall curve (if the arc is skated in a clockwise direction, the blade turns counter-clockwise).

theoretical example: The skater enters on a right forward outside edge curving in a clockwise direction. The skater turns their blade counter-clockwise and exits on a right back inside edge maintaining a clockwise direction of curve. The skater has performed a right forward outside bracket.

gif example: Here is Davis & White each performing a right forward inside bracket in their Not Touching Midline Step Sequence. Note that each skater is curving in a counter-clockwise direction on a right forward inside edge, turns the blade clockwise, and then continues curving in a counter-clockwise direction on a right back outside edge.

rockers and counters:

Each of these turns involves a change of lobe (ie. each turn starts out on one lobe and changes to a different one after the turn). Put another way, the curve of the entry edge is opposite to the curve of the exit edge. The edge is the same before and after the turns (ie. a rocker or counter with an outside entry edge will have an outside exit edge). The difference between these two turns is the direction of the turn in relation to the directions of the entry and exit edge curves. Their tracings have an ‘S’ shape with a cusp in the middle.

rocker: The blade turn is performed in the same direction as that of the curve of the entry edge and thus the cusp created by the turn points into the first lobe/curve.

theoretical example: The skater enters on a right forward outside edge curving in a clockwise direction. The skater turns their blade clockwise and exits on a right back outside edge, now curving in a counter-clockwise direction. The skater has performed a right forward outside rocker.

gif example: Here is Cappellini & Lanotte each performing a right forward inside rocker in their Not Touching Circular Step Sequence. Note that each skater is curving in a counter-clockwise direction on a right forward inside edge, turns the blade counter-clockwise, and is then curving in a clockwise direction on a right back inside edge.

counter: The blade turn is performed in the same direction as the exit curve and thus the cusp created by the turn points into the second lobe/curve.

theoretical example: The skater enters on a right forward outside edge curving in a clockwise direction. The skater turns their blade counter-clockwise and exits on a right back outside edge, now curving in a counter-clockwise direction. The skater has performed a right forward outside counter.

gif example: Here is Ilinykh & Katsalapov each performing a right back inside counter in their Not Touching Midline Step Sequence. Note that each skater is curving in a clockwise direction on a right back inside edge, turns the blade counter-clockwise, and is then curving in a counter-clockwise direction on a right forward inside edge.

We’ll now look at two-foot turns.

These turns can be either open or closed. These terms refer to the placement of the free foot during the change of foot. In an open choctaw or mohawk, the free foot is placed toward the front or near the middle of the instep of the skating foot. In a closed choctaw or mohawk, the free foot is placed behind the heel of the skating foot.

choctaw: This turn not only involves a change of foot but also a change of edge (outside edge to inside edge or inside edge to outside edge) AND a change of direction (from forward to backward or backward to forward). The pattern created on the ice is very similar to that of a rocker or counter.

theoretical example: The skater enters on a left forward inside edge curving in a clockwise direction. The skater then brings the right foot towards the front of the left foot (skating foot) and places the blade down, exiting on a right back outside edge and now curving in a counter-clockwise direction. The skater has performed a left forward inside open choctaw.

gif example: Here is Virtue & Moir each performing an open choctaw in their Not Touching Midline Step Sequence. They have chosen to do a converging pattern with one partner using the left foot as the initial skating foot and the other partner using the right foot as the initial skating foot, with each curving in opposite directions. Note that the female partner begins by curving in a clockwise direction on a left forward inside edge and brings the free foot forward, placing it in front of the skating foot (such that after the change of foot the new free foot is behind the new skating foot) and exiting on a right back outside edge now curving in a counter-clockwise direction. Meanwhile, the male partner begins by curving in a counter-clockwise direction on a right forward inside edge and brings the free foot forward, placing it in front of the skating foot and exiting on a left back outside edge now curving in a clockwise direction.

mohawk: This turn maintains the edge with the change of foot and involves a change of direction (if it is entered into on a forward outside edge it will be exited on a back inside edge). The pattern created on the ice is very similar to that of a three turn or bracket.

theoretical example: The skater enters on a right forward outside edge curving in a clockwise direction. The skater then brings the left foot behind the right foot (skating foot) and places the blade down, exiting on a left back outside edge and but still curving in a clockwise direction. The skater has performed a right forward outside closed mohawk.

gif example: Here is Pechalat & Bourzat each performing a right forward outside closed mohawk in their Not Touching Midline Step Sequence. Note that each partner begins by curving in a clockwise direction on a right forward outside edge and brings the free foot forward, placing it behind the skating foot (such that after the change of foot the new free leg is in front of the skating foot) and exiting on a left back outside edge and still curving in a clockwise direction.

How to Read (and Understand) a Protocol

The protocol is available after each segment of the competition and will tell you how each judge scored each element and aspect of the program. Each element will appear in the left column with the level the technical panel has assigned to it. The Base Value that has been decided upon in the Handbook forTechnical Panels appears under “Base” followed by the GOE awarded by each judge. For the pattern dance element, the key points are indicated with “Y” (for a key point achieved) and “N” (for a key point missed) and “T” (for a key point achieved but with one or more steps/edges not being held for the required number of beats).

So what do all those strange combinations of letters mean? 

NtMiSt=Not Touching Midline Step Sequence

NtDiSt=Not Touching Diagonal Step Sequence

NtCiSt=Not Touching Circular Step Sequence

MiSt=Midline Step Sequence

DiSt= Diagonal Step Sequence

CiSt=Circular Step Sequence

SeSt= Serpentine Step Sequence

StaLi=Stationary Lift

SlLi=Straight Line Lift

CuLi=Curve Lift

SeLi=Serpentine Lift

RoLi=Rotational Lift

RRoLi=Reverse Rotational Lift

Combination Lifts will include both lifts with a ‘+’ in between

ChLi=Choreographic Lift          Note: This lift is always assessed at level 1

Sp=Spin

CoSp=Combination Spin

STw=Synchronized Twizzles

1FS=Finnstep Section 1

2FS= Finnstep Section 2

How to Calculate TES

Here is an example from Skate Canada International 2013. In the first segment of the Finnstep, this team received credit for the first and third key points. A completed pattern with two key points translates to a level 3 for this element. All three key points were achieved on the second segment of the pattern, translating to a level 4 for this element.

So how do we get from a Base Value of 29.00 points to a total of 35.34 points? First, remove the highest and lowest score for each element (we have highlighted the highest in green and the lowest in yellow).

Element	Base	J1	J2	J3	J4	J5	J6	J7	J8	GOE	TOTAL
NtMiSt4	8.00	3	3	3	3	3	3	2	3	3.00	11.00
1FS3+YNY	6.00	2	2	2	2	3	2	2	2	1.00	7.00
2FS4+YYY	7.00	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	3	1.00	8.00
STw2	4.00	0	-1	1	1	1	0	2	-1	.17	4.17
RoLi4	4.00	2	2	2	3	2	2	3	3	1.17	5.17
TOTAL	29.00									6.34	35.34

Next take each judge’s GOE score and match it up to the corresponding value from the Scale of Values. Average these numbers and round to 2 decimals. Then add this average GOE to the Base Value, and you have the total value for that element.

Example #1: Let's look at the synchronized twizzles (STw) which was assessed a level 2. The Base Value is therefore 4.0 and the GOEs range from -1 to +2. The corresponding values from the SoV are listed in the right column. J# GOE SoV 1 0 0 2 -1 -0.5 3 1 0.5 4 1 0.5 5 1 0.5 6 0 0 AVE 0.17

Example #2:  Let's look at the rotational lift (RoLi4) which was assessed a level 4. The Base Value is therefore 4.0 and the GOEs range from +2 to +3. The corresponding values from the SoV are listed in the right column. J# GOE SoV 1 2 1 2 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 1.5 6 2 1 7 3 1.5 AVE 1.17

Adding this average GOE to the Base Value                    Adding this average GOE to the Base Value
we get: 4.00+0.17=4.17                                                 we get: 4.00+1.17=5.17                          
Thus, the element is worth 4.17 points.                           Thus, the element is worth 5.17 points.

                                       How to Calculate PCS

First remove the highest and lowest score for each category (we have highlighted the low in green and the high in yellow) and then average the scores for each category. This column of numbers is what you will always see on the protocol sheet but they are not the actual numbers that are used in calculating the PCS. For this, you need the factored scores.

To get those, you would next multiply the average for each category by its factor to get the factored score. The total PCS is the sum of all factored scores.

Category	Factor	J1	J2	J3	J4	J5	J6	J7	J8	Average  of Scores	Factored Scores
SS	0.8	9.50	9.50	9.50	9.25	9.50	9.00	9.25	8.75	9.33	7.46
TR	0.7	9.25	9.50	9.50	9.50	9.50	9.25	9.50	9.50	9.46	6.62
PE	0.7	9.50	9.25	9.50	9.75	9.25	9.00	9.25	9.75	9.42	6.59
CH	0.8	9.50	9.50	9.75	9.50	9.75	9.25	9.50	9.25	9.50	7.60
IN	1.0	9.50	9.50	9.75	9.75	9.50	9.00	9.50	9.50	9.54	9.54
TOTAL	4.0									47.25	37.82

For example, for the scores for SS you would toss out the scores from J3 and J8. Then average the rest of the scores, which will give you 9.33 (which IS displayed on the protocol sheet). Multiply that by a factor of 0.80 for a score 7.46 which is used in calculating the final PCS but is NOT displayed on the protocol.

Any additional deductions will be indicated below these sections on the protocol.